Let’s talk about dust mites. While this isn’t the most exciting topic, you should know what they are. Good news? You can prevent them from taking over your home, your allergies, and let’s be honest—your sanity—with these tips. Crystal Cleaning Janitorial Services is here to help you create a safer, cleaner, and healthier home.
But first, let’s talk about dust mites’ characteristics.
What Are Dust Mites?
Where there are humans and dirt, there are dust mites. The bad news is, dust is all around us in our homes, workplace, and vehicles. Dust mites, or bed mites, are tiny insects (spiderlike arachnids). They feed off dead skin flakes found on sheets, pillows, fabric, and dust around your home. Thankfully, while they don’t bite like bed bugs and head lice or spread diseases like many other insects, they can aggravate allergies and asthma. Unfortunately, it is the excrement waste from the mites that cause allergic responses.
Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments and multiply quickly and easily, especially in summer months. Due to the weather conditions in Florida, our area is more prone to dust mite issues.
Dust mites are too small that the naked eye cannot see them. The highest concentrations of dust mites are in carpeting, mattresses and bedding, upholstered furniture, and stuffed animals. Because they are tiny, dust mites float into the air when a fabric is disturbed, when one walks on the carpet, or when one uses a vacuum. It is when they float that the dust mite droppings and pieces of dead dust mites most aggravate allergies and can cause asthma or asthma-like symptoms.
Bedding and Bedrooms
The bedroom is a place to relax and sleep. Unfortunately, bedrooms are the number one place dust mites like to live. Since we come into direct skin contact with bed linens, these silky sheets make the perfect spot for dust mites to burrow. A key to controlling the parasites is the frequent washing of fabrics. It is especially important to do this for anyone that suffers from allergies or asthma. Therefore, it is essential to select linens that can withstand repeated washing.
While washing linens is easy to do, washing fabric-covered items are tricky. These items include mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture. To remove dust mites, consider a fabric allergen sanitizer vacuum. These vacuums use ultraviolet light to kill dust mites and bacteria. Then a dual filtration system to eliminate 99.9% of the offenders from fabric surfaces.
Eliminate the Buggers in the Bedroom!
If you have a dust mite problem in your home, bedding such as sheets, blankets, and bed covers, should be washed at least weekly in hot water (130 to 140 F) to kill the mites. Unfortunately, coldwater will not always remove allergens. If you prefer to use cold water, be sure to tumble dry the linens in a hot dryer for at least ten consecutive minutes at 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the mites.
For those with allergies and asthma, consider changing pillowcases more frequently—every other day— since they come into direct contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Wash bed pillows regularly to reduce exposure to dust mites. Place mite-proof cases on all mattresses and pillows. Wash these covers at least monthly.
Bathroom Towels and Bathmats
Although the humidity of the bathroom helps reduce dry skin, dust mites will thrive in humid spaces. Hang towels and bathmats to dry them thoroughly and as quickly as possible after each use. Wash towels and bath mats at least two or three times a week in hot water.
Stuffed Toys
If you have a child with asthma or allergies, wash their stuffed toys frequently—especially if the child sleeps with the toy. It is possible to clan most fabric toys. Check the tag on the stuffed toy before washing it.
Curtains and Household Fabrics
Control your dust mites problem by reducing the number of places they can thrive. Remove wall-to-wall carpeting and be sure to regularly clean area rugs and wash throw rugs. If you do have wall-to-wall carpet, have it steam cleaned routinely, as the heat of the steam kills dust mites.
Choose leather or vinyl upholstery rather than fabric. Or, make the upholstery easier to clean by using washable accessories like sofa covers and removable covers on throw pillows. Use a dust mite sanitizer vacuum as an alternative to washing fabrics. Keep in mind that washing heavy drapes is difficult. Instead, opt for washable fabrics, shades, blinds, or shutters.
Let’s Talk About Dust Mites Again!
Want to talk about dust mites anymore? Ok, we get it! But know that regular vacuuming and dusting helps reduce dust mites. Remove as many dust collectors like artificial flowers, bric-a-brac, and fabric wall hangings from your home. Above all else, clean the bedroom regularly.
Too busy to keep up with all the demands of a clean home? Hire Crystal Cleaning Janitorial Services to take the burden off your shoulders! CONTACT US today!
The information for this post came from Spruce.com. Thank you!
